Free Speech Union - Latest News [Page 1]
‘Cultural Safety’ Must Not Trump Speech Rights And Qualified Care For Patients
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 5:34 pm | Free Speech Union
Practitioners face increasing overreach from regulators that threatens to undermine not only their individual liberties, but the important contribution dissent, debate, and the contest of ideas play in our healthcare sector. More >>
Police Commit To Change ‘Hate’ Threshold In Training
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 5:25 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union will continue to work closely with Police on this matter, reviewing the new training material in coming weeks and meeting with the Assistant Police Commissioner again before the end of next month. More >>
Lower Hutt Mayor Weaponises Harmful Digital Communications Act To Silence Political Commentary From Ratepayers
Monday, 14 April 2025, 3:11 pm | Free Speech Union
This is an outrageous weaponisation of our law using it to seek cover from political challenge, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. More >>
Free Speech Union Seeks To Intervene In Janet Dickson Appeal Case
Monday, 7 April 2025, 3:44 pm | Free Speech Union
“We disagree. This is wrong, and inconsistent with our law. It’s vital our crucial freedoms of conscience and speech are recognised in the courts. This is why we have filed an application, seeking permission to intervene in Dickson’s appeal." More >>
Free Speech Union Submissions On Media Reform And Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill
Monday, 24 March 2025, 5:23 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union has made two submissions advocating for more speech, not less, on the Media Reform Proposals and the Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Amendment Bill, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “Our ... More >>
‘Hate Crime’ Laws Are Vague And Subjective, According To Free Speech Union Submission
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 5:06 pm | Free Speech Union
“Our position is clear: the law should punish criminal actions, not beliefs or opinions. Our submission addresses risks to free speech, the vagueness of key definitions outlined, and the potential for inconsistent enforcement." More >>
Trust In Media Plummets Further: New Polling Shows Centralised Regulation Will Not Help
Friday, 7 March 2025, 6:33 pm | Free Speech Union
If trust in media is going to return, Kiwis need to see transparency in reporting, and independence from political and ideological influence. Trust will not increase with further regulation, especially from authorities in which the majority of Kiwis ... More >>
InternetNZ's Flawed Constitutional Changes Danger To Free Internet
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 4:31 pm | Free Speech Union
Off the back of having declared itself ‘systemically racist’, InternetNZ’s proposed constitutional changes would result in an organisation that is less democratic, more ideological, and primed for censorship. The role of InternetNZ as a domain name ... More >>
Strong New Principles Signal A Return Of Free Speech In The Public Service
Friday, 21 February 2025, 3:40 pm | Free Speech Union
For too long, political and cultural ideologies have held our public service captive, fostering an environment of self-censorship and removing a vital tool for error correction: freedom of speech. More >>
Free Speech Union Welcomes IPCA Report: Police Have Failed To Uphold Kiwis’ Speech Rights
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 5:01 pm | Free Speech Union
“The IPCA report, released today, echoes long-held concerns of the Free Speech Union that Police are disrespecting Kiwis’ speech rights. More >>
Thugs' Veto To Silence Rainbow Event Appalling
Sunday, 16 February 2025, 2:59 pm | Free Speech Union
Taking actions of this kind, especially in a context that frightened children and intimidated their parents, is the antithesis of contributing 'better ideas' into discourse. More >>
Free Speech Union Announces Four Speakers For National Tours In 2025
Friday, 14 February 2025, 8:53 pm | Free Speech Union
By bringing these global voices to the fight for free expression in New Zealand, we’ll continue to protect and expand our culture of free speech, says Nathan Seiuli, the Free Speech Union's Events Manager. More >>
Free Speech Union Welcomes Academic Freedom Policy From Victoria University
Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 6:03 pm | Free Speech Union
This is an important step to ensure that staff and students can engage in open debate without retribution or restriction from the University. We hope other Kiwi universities will emulate Victoria in this. More >>
Law Commission’s Consultation On New ‘Hate Crimes’ A Fool’s Errand
Tuesday, 4 February 2025, 7:12 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union successfully opposed ‘hate speech’ laws and will maintain our position against ‘hate crime’ laws, leading a campaign with our supporter base of over 100,000 Kiwis. More >>
Professional Regulation Is About Confidence For Consumers, Not Ideological Imposition
Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 6:09 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union has drafted The Real Estate Agents (Political Neutrality) Amendment Bill 2024 in response to the ideological overreach the Real Estate Authority has demonstrated amongst its members. More >>
Government Legislation On Academic Freedom Sign Of New Hope For Universities
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 8:15 pm | Free Speech Union
Legislation changes announced by the Government today signals that academic freedom can still be restored to university campuses. New Zealand universities have consistently shown they’re not fulfilling their obligations to uphold academic freedom; this ... More >>
Misrepresentation Of Private Member’s Bill Obscures Potential For Abuse
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 4:35 pm | Free Speech Union
Since discussing his Member's Bill with media on Monday morning, Greg Fleming MP has consistently made three claims that are clearly and patently false about his attempts to make it easier for Police to recover costs from private events. More >>
Free Speech Union Launches Memberships To Protect Voices Of Media Professionals And Religious Leaders
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 8:15 pm | Free Speech Union
The Free Speech Union has launched its final two professional memberships, for media professionals and religious leaders, bringing the total number of professional membership options up to seven. Media and religious leaders rely on the fundamental human right ... More >>
Push For Police To Charge For Presence At Public Events A Deterrent On Free Speech
Monday, 16 December 2024, 3:45 pm | Free Speech Union
Police have a duty to protect the public from physical harm, and the public fund them to do so. Event organisers should not be put off hosting events due to imposed costs from Police. More >>
Minister Reverses Visa Denial, Allows Candace Owens Access To New Zealand: Massive Win For Kiwis’ Free Speech
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 3:54 pm | Free Speech Union
Those calling for censorship should take note: denying Owens’ entry into the country has simply widened interest in her. Those who disagree with Owens should channel that into counter speech and peaceful protest – cancellation won’t get us anywhere. More >>